Surf Forecasts:
Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, E swell with 799 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kohala Lighthouse this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kohala Lighthouse in the next 16 days are 2.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kohala Lighthouse over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let me tell you straight up, the next 16 days are looking pretty bleak for a paddle. I’ve been watching the charts for Kohala Lighthouse, and it’s just not happening.
We’ve got a solid run of ENE wind that just won’t quit. It’s coming in at 15 to 25 mph almost every day, and it's either cross or cross-onshore, which is just going to chop it all up. The wave energy is there, sure – we see moderate readings around 237 to 261 early on, and it actually builds into the strong category, hitting 720 to 787 by the 23rd and 24th of August. But that’s the problem. You’re looking at swell heights between 4.6ft and 6.9ft with a short, weak period of 6 to 8 seconds, and all that energy is getting destroyed by the wind. It’s just lumpy, messy cross-chop with no shape. From the 28th of August into early September, the energy drops back to moderate (190 to 424) but the wind stays on it.
Because of that consistent strong breeze, this setup at Kohala Lighthouse (Big Island) looks way more interesting for kite surfing than for paddle surfing. There’s just no window of clean, ridable waves for us.
The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing notable there to keep you warm while you get bounced around.
Honestly, there’s nothing to get excited about. It’s a blank run of 16 days without a single recommended session. This is one of those stretches where you just leave the boards in the garage and wait for the next forecast cycle.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Thu night, strong winds from the ENE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 246 | 226 | 237 | 238 | 206 | 212 | 157 | 131 | 61 | 69 | 94 | 192 | 175 | 246 | 339 | 553 | 711 | 783 | 635 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:38AM0.63m | 5:07PM0.51m | 9:12AM0.63m | 10:57AM0.66m | 12:05PM0.70m | 12:49PM0.75m | 11:54PM0.34m | 1:23PM0.79m | 00:44AM0.37m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 00:11AM0.16m | 1:29PM0.47m | 00:40AM0.18m | 1:22AM0.20m | 2:39AM0.22m | 4:19AM0.21m | 8:46PM0.30m | 5:31AM0.17m | 8:43PM0.28m | ||||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 6:51 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 6 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 131 | 61 | 69 | 35 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | SW 17 | W 13 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 11 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 11 | SW 15 | SW 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 1 | 11 | 14 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 52 | 35 | 12 | 25 | 39 | 24 | 24 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 6 | SW 18 | N 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 18 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | SW 9 | W 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SSW 15 | SW 9 | NW 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 30 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | E 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 |
| kJ | 246 | 226 | 237 | 238 | 206 | 212 | 157 | — | — | — | 94 | 192 | 175 | 246 | 339 | 553 | 711 | 783 | 635 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 73 | 71 | 73 | 57 | 71 | 25 | 36 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 57 | 69 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kohala Lighthouse Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kohala Lighthouse provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kohala Lighthouse can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Kohala Lighthouse) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Kohala Lighthouse may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Kohala Lighthouse is 87 km (54 miles) from Kihei. If you plan a vacation in Big Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Kihei. Kihei has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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